Waterford, Ireland

[marihelen]

My grandmother was born in 1881 (as far as we know) and came to England to go into service.    She was brought up by the nuns (so she told us) but apart from uncle  and cousins can find no other people with the surname of Faunge.   She married my grandfather (Thomas Grace) in 1909.     I have oftened wondered if her surname was a sounds like Faunge or if the irish equivalent was a different spelling.     Marihelen

[CaroleW]

Is this birth connected?  It was before the 1909 marriage but there is no other entry for Faunge

Births September qtr 1908 
Hubert Faunge   Croydon  2a 321

He died 1993 in Croydon

Marriage entry shows your grandmother was Sarah

[aghadowey]

There's one with that spelling in 1901 census in all Ireland and none in 1911 so perhaps there is a different spelling- have you found uncle and cousins in any census yet?
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Waterford/Waterford_Urban_No__2/Michael_Street/1761469

What about Fance or Faunce?

According to FreeBMD Thomas Grace married Sarah Faunge July/Sept.1909 Croydon volume 2a page 773. Have you seen her signature on the certificate (or elsewhere) in case it was mis-indexed? Is her father's name and occupation listed there?

[CaroleW]

Freebmd has a birth reg in 1915 for Sarah Grace mothers maiden name Faunge and the 1901 Irish census entry is Faunge,  To be honest - it sound more French than Irish

[aghadowey]

There are many 'French' names in Ireland - remember the Normans, Huguenots... 

[aghadowey]

The Irish civil registration list is online (free) at www.familysearch.org and I've searched for a Sarah born 1870-1889 in County Waterford withour finding any close entry for her.

[marihelen]

Sarah Faunge was my grandmother's maiden name.   My Uncle was born before she married.   Her marriage certificate says her father was Thomas Faunge coachman.     The details of being brought up by the nuns in Waterford was told to me by my grandmother.   I think she was in service in  Cork before she came to England.    Sarah Grace was my mother.    Unfortunately when I was young we were taught not to ask granny too many questions.   One of her favourite sayings was "Little girls should be seen and not heard."     Thank you for your suggestions.      Marihelen

[marihelen]

I've just remembered my uncle did write to a  priest Waterford (my grandmother was a catholic) to find a birth certificate of my grandmother the priest wrote back confirming that my grandmother was indeed born in Waterford in 1881.     Unfortunately my uncle is no longer with us, and the letter has been lost.   My cousin had seen the letter but couldn't find it anywhere.      Attaching a photo.   Marihelen

[nowel]

There is a baptism on www.rootsireland.ie for a Sarah Funge, father Thomas in 1879. St. Johns RC parish in Waterford City. 
The cost is €5 to view full transcription which may show mothers maiden name and sponsors.